Essex Hearing Research Laboratory

In the hearing research laboratory we are researching the following topics.

Computer modelsThe research aims to understand aspects of hearing in terms of the anatomy and physiology of the ear and the auditory brainstem. Our theories of how hearing works are embedded in computer models that simulate hearing. An auditory computer model takes sound as its input and shows how the ear will react at the physiological level. It will also indicate what a listener hears and how he reacts to the sound.

MeasurementRecent research has produced individualised computer models that simulate the hearing of individual listeners, including people with hearing impairment. To do this we need to make detailed measurements of a person’s hearing and we have developed new techniques and software to do this quickly and easily with a minimum of subject training.

Hearing impairmentOur detailed measuring techniques have allowed us to generate hearing profiles of a number (currently >60) of people, most of whom have a hearing impairment. The measurements show considerable qualitative as well as quantitative variation.

TinnitusMany people with hearing impairment also suffer from tinnitus. However, many do not. Our recent research has identified a particular type of hearing impairment most likely to be associated with tinnitus.

Hearing aidsOur computer model has helped us to devise a ‘biologically-inspired’ hearing aid. see http://bioaid.org.uk/

Automatic speech recognition The normal computer model can be used as the input to an automatic recognition system to generate useful recognition performance. Our research uses this system to understand the benefits from using hearing aids.